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Sexual violence & Consent

Sexual Violence is a broad term used to describe a number of crimes.  It can include, but is not limited to, crimes such as:

rape; including rape within a relationship.
unwanted sexual advances or sexual harassment
sexual abuse
forced marriage or cohabitation
denial of the right to use contraception or to adopt other measures to protect against sexually transmitted diseases
forced abortion
violent acts against the sexual integrity of women, including female genital mutilation and obligatory inspections for virginity
forced prostitution and trafficking of people for the purpose of sexual exploitation

Both men and women can be perpetrators of sexual violence.
Both men and women can be victims.
When a perpetrator commits an act of sexual violence on a minor, this is known as child sexual abuse.
Sexual violence is always unacceptable and the responsibility for the crime falls solely with the perpetrator. It is never the victim's fault.

Assist NI

The Department of Justice funds an advocacy support service for victims of domestic or sexual violence and abuse who are engaging with the criminal justice system.  It launched in late 2021 and covers the whole of Northern Ireland.  You can access their support and find out more about the service at their website Assist NI

 

Consent:

Consent is a very important concept to understand when talking about sexual harassment, abuse, assault or violence.  Here at Victim Support NI, we subscribe to this simple way of describing and understanding consent.  Although this video is about consent in general, all the messages apply to sexual relationships:

Consent is an agreement between participants to engage in sexual activity.  Consent doesn’t have to be given verbally, however, verbal agreement to different sexual activities can help both you and your partner set and respect each other’s boundaries without confusion.

Consent should happen every time. Giving consent for one type of sexual activity, does not mean giving consent for a myriad of different sexual activities on that occasion or in the future.  Just because you agree to kiss someone, does not mean you have agreed to sex.  Agreeing to one type of sex doesn’t mean you have agreed to another. If you have slept with someone in the past, they must have your consent before having sex with you in the present or on future occasions.

It is also important to remember that you can change your mind.  You can withdraw consent at any point if you feel uncomfortable.  Communication is key – the best way to let someone know if you are comfortable or uncomfortable with a sexual activity is to talk about it, or to let your partner know with physical cues.

Consent does NOT involve:

  • Refusal to acknowledge “no”, or to ignore physical cues such as someone freezing or becoming unresponsive, or physically trying to stop the behaviour
  • An assumptions that wearing certain clothes, or behaving in a flirtatious way, is an invitation for anything more
  • Someone being under the legal age of consent, as defined by the state
  • Someone being incapacitated because of drugs or alcohol
  • Using fear or intimidation to pressure someone into sex
  • Assuming you have permission to engage in a sexual act because you’ve done it in the past

 

Coercive Control:

Coercive Control is a pattern of deliberate behaviours designed to assert power over another individual.  It is a form of abuse and is against the law.  The video below explains when normal behaviours in a relationship cross the line into coercive control, and shows what you can do to access support.  It was produced by Ards and North Down PCSP, North Down & Ards Women’s Aid, the South Eastern Domestic & Sexual Violence Partnership, and Neep Pictures.

Sexual violence & Consent

Types of Crime

The Impact of Sexual Violence and Abuse

Sexual Violence can have a profound effect on physical and mental health.  Every victim’s experience is different, but many people experience complex short and long-term effects, and some people will have a severe reaction in the immediate aftermath, whilst others may not feel anything until the shock of the event wears off.  Some common reactions to sexual violence include:

  • Depression and Anxiety
  • Shame or guilt
  • Flashbacks
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
  • Self-harm
  • Sexually Transmitted Infections
  • Substance Abuse
  • Dissociation or Withdrawal
  • Eating Disorders or unhealthy diet related behaviours like vomiting or fasting
  • Sleep Disorders
  • Suicide
  • Pregnancy
  • Genital Injuries and gynaecological complications
  • Chronic Pain
  • Migraines and other frequent headaches

Research shows that Sexual Violence can also have social impact on its victims, including strained relationships with family and friends, lower likelihood of marriage, isolation or ostracism from family or community.

Many survivors of child sexual abuse grow up with a distrust of adults and authority figures, develop low self-esteem, a feeling of worthlessness, and an abnormal or distorted view of sex.

How Victim Support NI can help:

Due to the nature of the crime, many victims find it hard to talk about and are reluctant to report sexual violence cases.  Victim Support NI provides a confidential service, to which victims can self-refer even if the crime has not been reported to the police.  We can provide advice and support to all victims of sexual violence, and partner with specialist agencies to make sure our service is up to date and appropriate, be they young victims, male victims, or those experiencing it in same-sex relationships.

 

Your Rights

If you’ve been a victim of crime you have the right to receive a certain level of service from the criminal justice system.

Your rights as a victim of crime are explained in the Victim Charter for Northern Ireland.

This Charter sets out how victims of crime should be treated and what advice, support and practical information they can expect to receive.  It also outlines:
– How account can be taken of your needs
– How you should be treated
– Available support
– How to complain

A bereaved family member, family member or representative (in certain circumstances), and a parent on behalf of or instead of a child are also covered by this legislation.

Organisations who can help:

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